How to grow and care for the tropical Guzmania
Guzmania brings a lush pop of color to your home and can bloom for several months. Moreover, when the flowering comes to an end, you can propagate it from small offshoots and enjoy this tropical houseplant even longer. Read our instructions on growing and caring for Guzmania!
Guzmanias (Guzmania sp.) are increasingly available at garden centers, supermarkets, and florists. When properly cared for, this plant offers a long-lasting bloom and exotic accent for your home.
Guzmania: growing and care
Light
Although Guzmanias enjoy bright areas, they do not tolerate direct, intense sunlight. Try placing the guzmania in indirect light near a south-facing window or on a west-facing window that receives evening sun.
Temperature
Because it is native to the tropics, Guzmania prefers room temperature conditions. During the summer, you can place your Guzmania on the patio.
Watering and fertilizing
Because they grow as epiphytes (air plants) in their natural jungle habitat, Guzmanias have relatively small and weak roots. Therefore, the plant's soil should not be kept constantly waterlogged.
Water the soil but allow it to dry out between waterings. However, make sure there's always water in the central cup formed by the plant's leaf rosette. Guzmania prefers soft water, so rainwater is ideal during summer. It also enjoys frequent misting.
During the growing season, water your Guzmania every couple of weeks and fertilize it about once a month with a diluted fertilizer solution (using only half the recommended dosage). You can also pour the fertilizer water into the central cup.
Reduce watering in winter but continue to mist the leaves regularly. Make sure there is always water in the central cup. However, do not fertilize Guzmania during its dormant period.
Propagating Guzmania
Guzmania is a rewarding houseplant because it blooms for several months. When the flowering is coming to an end, the entire leaf rosette begins to die. At this point, water only the soil, not the wilting central cup.
During the latter part of flowering, small offshoots may have developed at the base of the plant, which can be used for propagation. Water the soil around the offshoots and add water to their central cups. Then, separate the offshoots from the dying mother plant and plant them in their own pots. Use an airy and acidic peat-based potting soil.
It may take a couple of years for the plant to reach the flowering stage, and the development of its colorful bracts requires ethylene gas. One way to provide your plant with ethylene gas is to place it in a plastic bag along with an apple or banana.
